The imperial banquet took place after the ceremony in which the Emperor bestowed honors on his knights who fought bravely on the front. Several names were cited, many rose in rank and won medals, and there was also a tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives on the battlefield.

But Lucian cared little about it.

In the original story, the eighth prince did not attend the ceremony as he always did. Places full of people caused him panic, especially for being brazenly rejected by the high nobility. So, Lucian chose to follow his character and stay away. Even because it would be annoying to hold the eyes of other princes and princesses on him.

Meanwhile, Argus walked among the guests checking that everything was in compliance. He followed the schedule given by the chief butler of the imperial palace, ensuring that guests were well treated until the arrival of the imperial family was announced.

During his survey, Argus was caught by a somewhat malicious tone of voice.

“Having a nice company to drink a glass of wine is pleasurable. Would you do me the honor of accompanying me, young Lord Grimwood?”

“Hm? A-Actually...”

Argus turned to that voice, recognizing the unique trait that only that family had.

Black hair like coal.

The short boy wearing a dark suit was facing the servant, but Argus noticed that he was taking some steps back in the failed attempt to increase the space between him and the alpha who tried to seduce him.

"It’s a Grimwood! Should I serve the juice now?"

“Come on! It’ll just be a glass while we talk for a bit, right?”

The alpha in question wore a beautiful formal and expensive costume, as well as lavish a brooch hanging on his chest. With raised shoulders and stewed chest, such an alpha seemed proud to have received earlier a medal of honor from the emperor himself. All that mattered to him was getting closer to the beautiful younger Grimwood who stood in front of him.

However, neither was ready for the sudden and silent arrival of a servant. The silver tray was placed between them, and Argus smiled politely at the shorter black-haired boy.

“Young Lord Grimwood, would you like a glass of apple juice?”

“Hey, what do you think you’re doing, waiter? Don’t you know your place?”

Argus looked towards the alpha, and tilted his head slightly.

“I am doing my job and serving the guests.”

“Get out! Or better, exchange this blessed juice for a glass of wine. Do you really think that a Grimwood would be treated like a child and drink juice? Do something that works and bring us the best wine, come on!”

The servant ignored the request and then turned to the Grimwood, noticing the bright pink eyes staring at him with hope.

Would he be scared by the situation?

Argus just bowed his head and smiled gently.

“Feel free to drink apple juice, my lord.”

“Really?”

“Hey, didn’t you hear what I said?”

When the alpha was about to create a mess with Argus, a second man of black hair made himself present. This one looked slightly taller than the other and his eyes were dark.

“What do you think you’re doing with my brother?”

The Alpha Knight became enraged with the sudden presence of the second-oldest Grimwood.

“I only invited him to drink and this servant is interfering.”

“Jesse!”, called the younger Grimwood, partially hidden behind the servant.

Jesse Grimwood, the only alpha in the Grimwood family and second son of the former Grand Duke, looked at Argus from top to bottom and then sighed as he put his glasses on his face.

“Knight, you are not fighting with any servant of the palace.”

“What?”

Jesse pointed to the chest of Argus, where was a silver bird’s brooch.

“This beta is a servant who serves directly to the eighth imperial prince.”

The face of the rider lost all color when he noticed the brooch on Argus’s chest. The servant, on the other hand, kept calm all the time despite being slightly surprised by Jesse Grimwood recognizing the symbol of the renegade prince so easily.

It fascinated him.

“The eighth prince? But who the fuck is the eighth...”

“Measure your words, sir”, said Argus with a somber smile, “Someone may confuse you and take you to jail for belittling a member of the imperial family.”

The knight seemed annoyed by the sudden sense of humiliation, especially from standing before two members of the Grimwood family. Without saying a single word, he walked away with heavy and high-pitched steps, while swearing low.

Being free of the inconvenience, the younger Grimwood finally sighed with relief.

“I’m safe. Haa... that was close.”

“That’s why I asked you to stay around, Eugene.”

“I’m sorry, brother.”

Jesse just sighed and turned to Argus.

“The eighth prince seems to have good servants.”

“Thank you very much, my lord”, Smile Argus, still holding the tray impeccably.

“Is that really apple juice?”

“That’s right, my lord Eugene. It was the prince himself who asked us to keep two bottles of apple juice reserved for the Grimwood.”

Jesse raised an eyebrow as Eugene seemed happy to hear that. Eugene took the cup and drank a sip, sighing relieved for the second time as he tasted the apple juice.

“It is sweet.”

“It’s an honor that you enjoyed it, my lord.”

“May I know why the eighth prince has been so careful with us?”

Argus raised his brown eyes to Jesse and just smiled proudly.

“It’s just a courtesy of His Highness.”

Without saying much more, Argus just remained proud that his master had hit another vision. After all, it was him who asked to guarantee the apple juice, right? He probably knew something would happen.

Ah, it was so good to serve the eighth prince after he had awakened his gift!

In the middle of the conversation, the music was changed so that the imperial march would be played. The guests turned to the top of the staircase, where a knight in the uniform of the royal guard was positioned.

“Announce the entry of the imperial family, Saint Richmond!”

The hall was filled with applause, and the top of the staircase was completely filled with some members of the imperial family. In addition to Lucian, three more of his brothers were next to the beautiful and elegant Emperor Rehael.

The Emperor’s relaxing pheromones have spread through the hall, causing a significant effect on all guests. No, nobody was changed, on the contrary, the figure of the Emperor seemed a father welcoming his children and leaving them calm in his lap.

Although that was a counterpoint to his rigid and serious expression, and still made everyone yearn for his beauty. He was like wine. Or rather... champagne.

Argus smiled when he saw the eighth prince beside the Emperor.

What a pride!

“I am very grateful that you have accepted the invitation to celebrate this feast. I hope that on this beautiful night, we can rejoice in our victory and congratulate the strength of our soldiers who fought bravely on the battlefield”,  The emperor spoke, who then took a golden cup and raised. “A toast to the prosperous future of our empire!”

The guests then happily responded to the toast, and the music played again.

When Eugene turned to the side, Argus was no longer there. Turning to his brother, the two exchanged glances and then faced the eighth prince.

“Prince Lucian... I think our brother should know that, shouldn’t he, Eugene?”

“Yes, brother.”